Window-screen.



No. 722,653. rATBNTED'MAR.'1o-, 190s.

T. DBC. RUTH. WINDOWx SCREEN.

APPLIOATIOI'ILED JULY Z, 1902.

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Tens co. Prloro'uuo.. WASHINGTON. D. c.

`UNITED STATES THOMAS DE COURSEY RUTH,

WINDOW- OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

SCREEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Naf/22,653, dated March. 10, 1903.

Application filed .Tuly 2, 1902. Serial No. 114,062. (No model.)l

To a/ZZ whom t may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS DE. CoURsEY RUTH, a citizen of the United States, residing in Newark, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Window-Screens, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to window-screens; and it consists substantially in the improvements hereinafter particularly described.

The invention has reference more especially to window-screens of the rolling class or type, and one of the principal objects of the invention is to simplify the construction and organization of the elements constituting the screen and its rolling mechanism and also to provide a window-screen of this character which is effective for itspurpose and which is not liable to get out of order.

A further object is to provide a rolling window-screen which is adapted to be unrolled to the desired extent for use by the act of opening a sash of the window and to be automatically retracted and rolled up on closure of the sash and also to provide simple means whereby the screen may be readily connected to and disconnected from the window-sash, as may be desired.

A still further object is to provide a rolling window-screen ofspecial construction at the side edges thereof, whereby an effective guiding of the screen is had in its movements and also whereby increased strength and greater length of service of the screen is derived than in many instances hitherto.

A still further object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means whereby the action or power of the roller mechanism for the screen may be easily regulated and also to provide means for inclosing or housing the screen during the intervals of closure of the window-sash with which the screen may be connected for operation.

The above and additional objects are attained by means substantially such as are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ordinary window-frame and movable sashes therein, together with my improved screen and rolling mechanism therefor, the latter being shown as secured in position across the winvroll up the screen on release of the same.

dow-frame lengthwise of the sill thereof. Fig. 2 is an enlarged part-sectional view in detail to more clearly indicate the construction and organization of certain parts. Fig. 3 is an enlarged part longitudinal sectional Vview of the rolling mechanism for the screen,

said view being broken awayat one end as well as at other parts and showing a part of the window-sash in section. Fig. 4 is a detail View, in elevation and broken away all around, indicating a portion of the stop-bar for the screenL as well as one of the means whereby connection and disconnection of the screen with the window-sash may be eifected. Fig. 5, is a transverse sectional viewvshowing the special construction resorted to for one of the beads of each of the sash-guides, whereby the side edges of the screen are evenly and truly guided as the screen is rolled and unrolled in the uses thereof. Fig. 6 is a detail view in perspective showing more clearly the special construction of iieXible. binder or guide strips employed for the side edges ofthe screen. Fig. 7 is an enlarged side view of one of the heads of the inclosing casing or housing for the rolling mechanism for the screen; and Fig. 8 is a similar view, partly broken away, ofthe other head of the casing or housing. Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional view in detail showing-the water-tight relation of the stop-bar of the screen when the window-sash is lowered or closed.

Before proceeding with a more detailed description it may be stated that in the practice of my invention I employ a rolling screen of any suitable iieXible gauze material of proper mesh and strength, and I also employ suitable mechanism upon lwhich said screen is rolled or wound, as in the manner of a curtain-shade, said mechanism 4permitting the screen to be unrolled therefrom to any desired extent and serving to retract and agair employ a rolling screen of special construction at the edges, as will hereinafter appear, and for the purpose of providing convenient and effective guideways for the screen I also impart a special construction to one of the beads of each of the sash-guides on the window-frame, as will also more fully hereinafter appear. The screen and its rolling or winding mechanism are'suitably mounted in ICO position within a casing or housing of special construction,and the outer edge of the screen is provided with a bar serving as a stop for the screen, and which bar also constitutes a weather-strip between the housing and the edge of the window-sash when the latter is closed. I construct the said casing or housing with special means at one end thereof by which access may be readily had to one end of the rolling mechanism for the screen to adjust or alter the winding or rolling power of such mechanism, and I employ simple devices for connecting the outer edge of the screen with the movable window-sash, it being understood that the said screen is unrolled by the force applied to open the sash, the rolling mechanism for the screen operating automatically to retract and wind up the screen on closing the sash.

While I have herein illustrated my improvements as applied for operating in connection with the lower sash of a window, it is apparent, of course, that the same is capable also of successful application to the upper window-sash with but little change or alteration, and it will be understood that I am not limited in practice to the precise details of construction and organization of elements herein shown and described, since alterations may be made therein and still be within the scope of my invention.

Specific reference being had to the accompanying drawings by the designatingr characters marked thereonfA represents the frame of an ordinary window, a the sill thereof, B the lower movable sash, and B the upper sash, said sash B being guided on its outer face at each side by means of a bead C. Said beads also constitute guides for my improved rolling screen D, each bead preferably being constructed of two strips 2 2, secured to an inner verticalside of the window-frame, so as to leave a slot or space 3 between the adjacent faces thereof at the inner edges and the strips of each pair being formed for practically their whole height or length with corresponding recesses 4, the sides of which are substantially se micylind rical,as shown in Fig. 5. Guideways are thus formed by the said beads C for the side edges or portions of my improved rolling window-screen D, and for the purpose of retaining such edges in the guideways and thereby facilitate the proper working'of the screen I resort to a special form of selvage or binding therefoi-,which is both dexible in character and very strong and serviceable, as will appear. Thus, as shown in the several figures, the said screen is made of any suitable gauze material, and to each longitudinal edge thereof I apply a flexible binding or border D2, formed of any suitable material, but preferably of a strip of stout textile fabric, said strips being each folded about centrally of its length and the sides stitched together at 7 to form a continuous pocket 8, in which is inserted a ieXible cord or stay 9 of suitable diameter to fit said pocket, said cords or stays forming continuous enlargements at the edges of the screen, which work in the guideways therefor formed by the recesses 4 in the beads C, the double portions IO of the bindings orborders Dzbeing stitched together at 1l and working in the slots or spaces 3 of said beads, as shown. The said bindings or borders D2 are attached to the screen D by inserting the marginal side por-v tions Aof the latter between the free marginal portions l2 of the former and then securing the parts together by longitudinal stitching, as indicated at 14, in Fig. 6, for instance. In this wayI provide a rolling screen possessing the desired flexibility at all points,

'besides being strong and serviceable and capable of being wound and unwound in the manner herein indicated.

I may resort to any suitable mechanism for rolling up the screen, but preferably, I employ a spring-roller E of the Hartshorn type, for instance, to which the inner edge of the screen may be attached or secured in any suitable manner, the said rolling mechanism being contained in an inclosing casing or housing F therefor, which is located at and lengthwise of the sill a, as shown, said casing or housing being yprovided at the ends with closing-heads A2 A3 and being formed for its length with a slot or opening 16, through which the free end of the screen passes, as shown in Fig. 2,`said free end of the screen having attached thereto a bar G, which serves as a stop for the screen and which also closes the opening 16 of housing F when the `screen is wound up and the operating-sash closed. In this way the said bar also constitutes a weather-strip between the housing F and the lower edge of the sash when the latter is closed, (see Fig. 9,) as well as closing the opening I6 and preventing access of dirt and dust to the interior of the housing and to the rolling mechanism for the screen. In order to prevent turning of the housing, I secure the same to the windowframe by means of suitable screws passing through a projection 17, formed with each of the heads A2 and A3, and it should be stated that said heads are each flanged at 18 to fit the ends of the housing, the ends of the shaft 2O of roller E being supported by the heads. Each head is cut off at the lower edge thereof, as indicated at 2l in Figs. 2 and 7, thus furnishing flat bearings for said heads on the upper surface of sill a, the said construction also serving as a means of closing the crevices between the sill and the end portions of the housing, as is apparent. As a means of connecting the free end of the screen D with the window-sash I provide at or near each end of the stop-bar G a iiexible strip22, each of which is provided with a hook or catch 23, taking upon or engaging with a projection 24 on the sash, and it will thus be seen that when the sash is raised or opened the screen will be drawn out to cover the opening thus made.

As indicated in Figs. 3 and 7, the head A5 IOO IIO

of the casing or housing is set inwardly for a suitable area, as indicated, the disk portion 25 thus formed being provided with an enlarged central opening 26 and a smaller opening 27 on either side thereof. Fitting in the outer circular recess formed in said head A3 by the said inwardly-set portion 25 thereof is a circular plate 30, (see Fig. 3,) formed with openings corresponding to the openings 27, suitable screws 31 being inserted in the said coinciding openings of said disk and plate by which to secure the latter in position. The said circular plate 30 is formed or provided with a central inwardly-projecting boss 33, passing through the opening 26 and formed with a transverse groove or notch in which is fitted the attened end 35 of shaft 20, said shaft being thus interlocked with the said head A3. Whenever it is desired to regulate or adjust the power of the rolling mechanism for the screen it is simply necessary to remove the screws 3l and apply the Spanner portions of an ordinary spanner-wrench within the openings in the plate 30 and then turning the latter the necessary number of times, whereupon the parts may be secured by again inserting the screws as before, the openings in the plate and disk 25 being made to properly register, of course. To guard against the said Iiattened end 35 of shaft'20 slipping out of the notch in boss 33, I provide a sleeve or collar 40, partially inclosing the boss 33 and the end of the shaft, as shown.

From the foregoing it will be seen thatI have provided a window-screen and rolling mechanism therefor which are exceedingly simple and thoroughly eective in use and the operation of which will be fully understood. It is of course apparent that my improved screen may be manufactured in continuous lengths and sold to the trade by measurement in any desired quantity.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination with a window-frame, of a rolling screen mounted therein, operating mechanism for the screen and an inclosing housing for said mechanism, said housing I being provided at one end with a head re\ cessed and formed with a central opening and having additional openings to either side of said central opening, a plate seated in the recess in the head and formed with a central boss having locking engagement with said screen mechanism, said plate having openings coinciding with said additional openings of the head, and screws inserted in said coinciding openings of the said head and plate.

2. The combination with a Window-frame having sash-beads formed with vertical guide- Ways therein, of a rolling screen having its side edges working in said guideways, means for connecting the screen with a sash of the window, rolling mechanism for the screen and an inclosing housing for said mechanism, said housing being provided at one end with a head recessed and formed with a central opening and having additional openings to either side of said central opening, a plate seated in the recess in the head and formed with a central boss having locking engagement with said rolling mechanism, said plate having openings coinciding with said additional openv ings of the head, and screws inserted in said coinciding openings of the said head and plate.

3. The combination with a window-frame havin gsash-beads formed with vertical guideways therein, of a rolling flexible screen having flexible enlargements at theside edges thereof, said flexible enlargements working in said guideways, means for connecting the free end of the screen with a sash of the window, a rolling mechanism for winding up said screen, said mechanism comprising a spring-roller and an inclosing housing therefor, said housing being provided at one end with a head recessed and formed with a central opening and having additional openings to either side of said central opening, a plate seated in the recess in the head and formed with a central boss having locking engagement with said rolling mechanism, said plate having openings coinciding with said additional openings of the head, and screws inserted in said coinciding openings of the said head and plate.

THOMAS DE COURSEY RUTH.

Witnesses:

J. A. DUPONT, S. O. NICHOLS. 

